“16 th thinkers & writers forum, mumbai” 6 -7 june, 2013grcgujarat.org/pdf/research...

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“16th Thinkers & Writers forum, Mumbai”

6th-7th June, 2013

Researcher

Dr. Dinesh Kapadia B.S.A.M., LL.B., M.A., Ph.D.

Nodal Officer S.R.C.W (N.M.E.W.) GUJARAT

Director

Gender Resource Centre,

Ahmedabad

Women and Child Development Dept.

Government of Gujarat

&

Gaurav Thakkar (Co author)

Asst. State Coordinator

S.R.C.W.-N.M.E.W. Gujarat

Subject: “Socio-economic Inclusion of Women – A Peep into fruitfulness of Govt. Schemes at Zero Ground, in Selected Areas of Gujarat.”

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KEY WORDS- Gender, Political Empowerment, Governance, Panchayati Raj, Sarpanch, Talati, Gram sabha, S.H.G,“Bhavai” .

ABSTRACT- The present study is an effort to know the extent of participation of elected representatives

of Gram Panchayats in implementation of welfare schemes for Women at Zero ground level. There is no

denying the fact that the poor and semi educated rural women are yet to be aware of nitty gritty of

welfare schemes and some of them find it difficult to avail benefits of the Schemes because of lack of

knowledge of procedural intricacies.

However, it is heartening to nute that number of women has been successful in earning livelihood on

their own and also extending economic support to their families by Joining S.H.G.s. The case studies in

the present paper are Concrete examples of Women’s sincerity of purpose and their desire to be self

reliant.

Women and the Constitution of India

The Indian constitution which came into force on 26th January 1950 provides the framework for the good

governance of the country and it is considered to be a comprehensive document containing the principles

of “Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.”

Keeping in view the different forms of discrimination against women since the time immemorial, the

framers of the constitution were conscious enough to incorporate some general and specific provisions

for upliftment of status of women and also to set in motion the legal process to bring gender equity in all

the spheres.

The scheme and scope of the Constitutional Provisions relating to women could broadly be classified in

three chapters.

1) The preamble of the constitution

2) The Fundamental Rights – part III and directive principles of the state policy part IV

In pursuance of spirit of the constitution; several important enactments and welfare schemes have been

brought into operation to ensure gender equity in every walk of life – family, succession, guardianship,

employment and economic and political empowerment of women.

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Panchayati Raj and Women empowerment

Panchyati Raj Institutions have always been considered as means and tool for women empowerment in

India and 73rd Constitutional Amendment was enacted in fact, with the intent that it would lead to better

governance and vibrant women leadership at the grassroots level. It was also assumed that it would

create political space to the disadvantaged section of the society like schedule caste, scheduled tribes and

women.

Panchayati Raj” is a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the basic units

of administration. It has 3 levels: Gram (village, though it may comprise of more than one village),

Taluka (block) and Zilla (district). The term "panchayati raj" is relatively new, having originated during

the British administration whereby “Raj” means "governance or government". The prime responsibilities

of the Panchayat is to contribute significantly to village, taluka and district development activities and

implementation of various schemes for social and economic development and collect appropriate taxes,

duties, tolls and fees. In short it is self Government at Gram, Tehsil and Dist level with constitutionally

guaranteed powers. Apart from strengthening the Panchayati Raj system the following Schemes have

been floated to ensure Socio-economic inclusion of Women.

� Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

� Public Distribution system for food (PDS)

� Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDSS)

� National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

� National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)

� Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

� National Literacy Mission (NLM)

� Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA)

� Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY)

� The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojna (IGMSY) - 52 districts in pilot basis

� Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC)

� Support for Training and Empowerment Programme for Women (STEP)

� Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme

� SWADHAR

� Janani Suraksha Yojna

� Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan

� Scheme for Leadership Development

� Adivasi Mhila Sashaktikaran Yojna of NSTFDC

� Micro finance for S.H.G.s by N.B.C.FD.C. and

companies/corporations.

� In the year 2010 On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Year celebration of Gujarat State

ambitious campaign by the name

organize the poor women

and build capacities in them and lead them towards sustainable livelihoods.

The present study is aimed at getting first hand information on role of elected representatives of

PRIs, especially women representatives at village level in implementing welfare schemes and

socio economic inclusion

consonance with constitutional provisions.

Universe of the study:

Two blocks namely Bayad and Prantij of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat have been selected for

this purpose. Coincidentally

kendra” under National mission for empowerment of

Profile of Bayad and Prantij

According Census of India, 2001, Bayad has 1.3 % of tribal population and Prantij has 0.6 % population

while BPL families are 47.3

agricultural workers are 59.8%

indicates lack of land holding and contributing as workers with no steady income and lack of sustainable

house hold economy. Female literacy in Bayad is 51.6% and 57% in Prantij.

drinking water in Bayad is 54.5% and 92.1%

Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan

Scheme for Leadership Development for Minority Women

Adivasi Mhila Sashaktikaran Yojna of NSTFDC

ce for S.H.G.s by N.B.C.FD.C. and other Government sponsored

companies/corporations.

n the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Year celebration of Gujarat State

gn by the name “MISSION MANGALAM” was launched.

women into Self Help Groups/ other organizations

build capacities in them and lead them towards sustainable livelihoods.


ally women representatives at village level in implementing welfare schemes and

socio economic inclusion of women as a result of welfare measures taken by the Government in

consonance with constitutional provisions.

Universe of the study:-


purpose. Coincidentally these blocks have been part of establishment of “Poorna shakti

kendra” under National mission for empowerment of women (N.M.E.W.) in

and Prantij block, Dist. Sabarkantha, Gujarat


while BPL families are 47.3% and 31.4 % respectively which are high incidence. Percentage o

agricultural workers are 59.8% in Bayad and 55.3% in Prantij which is very high number and also


ouse hold economy. Female literacy in Bayad is 51.6% and 57% in Prantij.

drinking water in Bayad is 54.5% and 92.1% in Prantij, respectively.

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other Government sponsored

n the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Year celebration of Gujarat State, an

was launched. The objective is to

into Self Help Groups/ other organizations and link them with banks

build capacities in them and lead them towards sustainable livelihoods.


ally women representatives at village level in implementing welfare schemes and

of women as a result of welfare measures taken by the Government in


these blocks have been part of establishment of “Poorna shakti

N.M.E.W.) in Gujarat State.


respectively which are high incidence. Percentage of

in Prantij which is very high number and also


ouse hold economy. Female literacy in Bayad is 51.6% and 57% in Prantij. Household access to

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N.B- At present the data for the Blocks are not available as per the census, 2011.

Bayad Prantij 1991 2001 1991 2001 Population 161297 186328 129444 146450 SC Population 13508 12447 ST Population 2343 852 Urbanization Population 0 0 16.1 15.21 Sex Ratio (General) 943 932 957 910 Child Sex Ratio ( 0-6) 923 860 909 818 Literacy Rate - Total 60 67.5 64.38 72.77

Male 76.1 82.5 80.99 87.4 Female 42.99 51.6 47.18 56.98

Rural Literacy Rate - Total 60 67.5 62.74 71.64

Male 76.1 82.5 80.38 87.26 Female 42.99 51.6 44.43 54.75

No. of HH ( Rural) 1998 36084 24078 No. of families Below Poverty 17050 7548 % age of BPL families 31.35 47.25 Work Participation Rate - Total 48.4 47.49 Male 55.24 53.69 Female 37.63 40.68 Basic and Physical Infrastructure Status of the House Hold Total HH 36081 28689 Own HH 34004 26913 % age of Total HH 94.2 93.8 Rented 1671 1226 % age of Total HH 4.6 4.3 Any other 406 550 % age of Total HH 1.1 1.9 Electricity Facility (%) 68.6 78.9 Toilet 25.1 29.5 Tap water 54.5 92.1

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Welfare Schemes data (Year 2011-12)

• No. of Beneficiaries under the I.C.D.S., Pregnant Mothers, Children and Adolescent girls Prantij- Goal- 17700, Achievement- 18016, Percentage 101.79% Bayad- Goal- 22010 Achievement- 18943 Percentage 86.06%

• No. of Beneficiaries under the National Health Programme, Universal Immunization of Pregnant Mothers and Children :- Goal- 331893, Achievement- 330564, Percentage- 99.60%

• No. of Beneficiaries under the Sardar Awas Yojna:-

Goal- 1985, Achievement- 1819, Percentage - 91.63%

Source: - Annual report District Development Office, Himatnagar, Dist. - Sabarkantha

Research Methodology:-

� Random Sampling

Qualitative Quantitative

Personal Interview Structured Questionnaire

� Secondary Data Collection

� Census data 2001 and 2011

� Annual report District Development Office, Himatnagar, Dist. - Sabarkantha

Prantij Block – 7 SarpanchesBayad Block – 5 Sarpanches

50% of the

7

5

12

PRIs Members

Interviewed

0

30

7 Sarpanches 50% respondents have primary 5 Sarpanches 34% respondents have secondary education

08% respondents have graduation

of the PRIs members having age more than 50 years

PRIs Members

Interviewed

Male

Female

Total

2

3

1

7

1

2

1 1

5

30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 Total

Age of the Participants

Male Female

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50% respondents have primary education 34% respondents have secondary education 08% respondents have graduation

more than 50 years

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The Researcher’s meeting with the T.D.O. (Block/Taluka Development Officer) on 6th April, & 8th May, 2013

Meeting with the Sarpanches and Talatis (G.P. Secretary) of the selected Gram Panchayats at Bayad on 18th April, 2013

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S.H.G. members- Ambaliyara Village, Bayad Block, Dist. Sabarkantha on 24th April, 2013

The Researcher and his team with the Sarpanches and Talatis(G.P. Secretary) of Selected Gram Panchayats

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Amul parlour runs by S.H.G. - Case Study-I

Name of the Self help group: “Jyoti Self help group”

District: Sabarkantha Block: Bayad

Gram Panchayat: Jitpur No. of Village house hold: 650 to 700

Main Occupations of Villagers: Farming and Animal husbandry No. of Self help groups in the village: 30 to 35

No. of Members in the Self help group: 10 Amount of saving in the Self help group: 100/- Rs. per Month

The members of “Jyoti Self help group” used to get internal credit for running a small business on individual basis. However, some of the members conceptualized to start a group business for sustainable economic development. Initially there was an iota of hesitation and also a doubt regarding viability of this proposal in the minds of some women.

However, the Block livelihood manager appointed under “Mission Manglam” scheme of Gujarat Govt. was able to convince the doubting women of economic feasibility of a group business by obtaining Cash Credit from local Dena Gramin Bank in favor of the S.H.G. and it was made clear to the women that the funding for the proposed group business would not be done from accounts of individual saving in the S.H.G.

Thus the women of Jitpur village in Bayad block of Sabarkantha district in Gujarat took a conscious decision to start “Amul Parlour” in their village as a group business and they were provided a cash credit of R.s 100000/-(one lakh) by Dena Gramin bank –Bayad

The S.H.G. also got the benefit of 5% subsidy on the Interest of the Cash credit under “Mission Manglam” scheme.

“Amul Parlour “became functional from 31st march, 2013 and the daily Cash Counter has been to the tune of Rs. 3000 to Rs. 4000 in the initial month – a summer in Gujarat

This successful “Joint Venture” by the rural women with poor economic back ground is indeed inspiring and worth emulating.

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Case Study-II

Name: Mayaben Chinubhai Patel

Age: 23 Years Village: Jitpur Block: Bayad

District: Sabarkantha Family Members: Mother, Father, 3 – Sisters and 1 – Brother

Occupations: Cultivation of Wheat twice in a year and Animal Husbandry

Miss Maya Chinubhai Patel, a student of the Final year B.A. (English) of a College located at Dehgam, a

block headquarters, 30 to 35 Kilometers from her village; has been an active member of “Jyoti Self help

group” for the last two years.

She aspires to pursue post graduation and she gets support and encouragement to be self reliant from her

parents and other members of the family; and she is supportive to her family in the sense that she helpd

her Younger brother to complete ITI course and at present he is working with a workshop of Gujarat

State Road Transport Corporation.

Having seen a Cold drink machine at her uncle’s house, a few years ago; during her visit in a summer

vacation; She purchased a small Cold drink machine from a cash credit of Rs. 10000/- provided by the

S.H.G. and started selling cold drinks of “Cola”, “Orange” and “Mashala” flavors to eke out livelihood

while pursuing her studies, simultaneously.

Her daily cash counter is approximately Rs. 1500 to 2000/- and She cherishes a dream to become a

woman entrepreneur and her aplomb is enough to fulfill this dream.

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Case Study-III

Name: Kapilabehen Narshinhbhai Turi

Village: Ambliyara Taluka: Bayad

District: Sabarkantha Age: 45 years

Occupation: Daily Wager (Cloths merchandise) Education: Illiterate

Husband’s Occupation: Daily Wager Husband’s Education: Illiterate

No. of Family Members: 2 Sons – 1 Daughter

Kapilaben has been dealing in the clothes for the last 20 years and she manages to eke out her livelihood by selling sari, petticoat, salwar suits and material etc in retail to her customers. Every day, early in the morning, after completing the daily household chores, she goes to nearby villages on foot far door-to-door selling. On an average, she walks about 4 to 5 kilometres daily. Many times she goes as far as Bayad a distance of 10-12 kilometres. She has struggled hard to provide economic support for higher education to her children and has experienced many hardships in life to fulfil her dream of constructing her own house. As her husband has vision only in one eye, he works within the village and does “Bhavai” A traditional art. Kapilaben does not get disheartened despite the fact that she is virtually the sole earning member of the family; as her physically weak husband, cannot go for earning many a times. She has been a member of “Jay Santoshi Sakhi Mandal” of Ambaliyara village for the last six years. Initially she regularly used to save Rs. 50 every month. However, after realizing the importance of savings, she now saves Rs. 100 every month. She has also enrolled both her daughter-in law in the Sakhi Mandal. Due to the regularity in her savings she managed to get a loan of Rs. 10,000 from the Sakhi Mandal for her business. Due to this she was able to purchase clothes at wholesale rates and sell the same at cheaper rates and earned more profit. Next year she paid the loan. She again took the loan to educate her children as well as to get them married. She has been able to provide good education to her sons and sho could marry off her sons and daughter, From her savings and loans from S.H.G. , besides this, she also got her house constructed.

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Thus, with the help of Sakhi Mandal and her sheer hard work, she was able to educate her children, construct her home, get her children married, fulfil her social obligations and today even at the age of 45 she sells clothes. Her worries have virtually evaporated because of distribution of work in her family and her opinion on important issues especially on social and economic decision is taken seriously. This is indeed a saga of diligent and determined woman who despite having no formal education has emerged as a source of economic support for her family this is worth emulating by other women.

Implementation of Indira Awas Yojana in Ambaliyara Village.

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Case Study-IV

Name: Maniben Somabhai Vankar

Village: Ambliyara Taluka: Bayad

District: Sabarkantha Age: 45 years

Occupation: Daily Wager (Miscellaneous items sold through cart) Education: Illiterate

Maniben was married when she was only 14 years old. As her husband was not economically very sound, soon after the marriage, she had to go for working in the farms. Both husband and wife were earning their livelihood through casual labor work. Though both of them were illiterate they wanted to educate their children so that they would not have to become daily wagers and could live a decent life. For the last six Years, Maniben has been a member of “Jay Yogeshwar mandal”, a self-help group of Ambaliyara. Initially she used to deposit Rs. 50 but currently she deposits Rs 100 for two daughter-in-laws, besides for herself. Once she got to know that she could obtain a loan from the self-help group, she mustered the courage to start her independent business. She took a loan of Rs. 5000 and started a business of selling milk and curd. She would get up at 5 am in the morning to sell milk pouches. On an average she earns a profit of Rs. 100 from this sale which would cover her travelling expense from Ambaliyara to Bayad. Gradually the business has grown and she manages to meet household expenses. She has also decently celebrated marriage of her children out of her earnings. Minaben is an example of woman empowerment through self confidence and self reliance. She plays an important role in all family matters.

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Case Study-V

Name: Misuben Ujamiya Sandhi

Sarpanch Gram Panchayat: Hadmatiya Block: Prantij

Dist: Sabarkantha

Misuben Ujamiya Sandhi, belonging to a minority community aged about 60 years, was elected unopposed as a Sarpanch (Pradhjan) of Hadmatiya village in Prantij block of Sabarkantha District; Gujarat for the first time between the years 1997-2002. Despite having a poor educational background; she took a keen interest in implementation of rural development Schemes and according to her version she is content with her performance.

She preferred not to contest the elections for the post of village Sarpanch after expiry of her first term in 2002 and kept aloof from political activities for almost a decade.

However, at the time of local self Govt.’s elections in the year 2012; she was persuaded and prompted by some villagers to be active in social sector and she successfully contested for the post of Sarpanch and has been actively participating in the proceedings of Gram Sabhas to ensure implementation of welfare schemes.

There was poor infrastructure in the Panchayat run Primary school with the result that students from Std. 1st to 7th had to be accommodated in two class rooms only.

She strongly represented this issue with the support of the fellow villagers at the district level and got another four class rooms sanctioned for the village primary school.

She also played an active role in getting an Anganwadi under I.C.D.S. established in her village in the near past.

Recently the “Worker” of this Anganwadi was awarded “Mata Yasoda Award” 2012; comprising a Certificate and Cash of Rs. 21000/- by the Govt. of Gujarat; for running Anganwadi in an appreciable manner.

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Mishiben also got a new Gram Panchayat office built in place of the old; dilapidated Gram Panchayat office by getting fund sanctioned for the same from the district authorities.

Developmental activities and implementation of Welfare Schemes are clearly visible in the village which is attributable to proactive role of this Woman Sarpanch.

What is worth mentioning is that she is able to establish rapport with the local people belonging to different Castes and Communities.

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Case Study-VI

Name: Mrs. Asha Dinesh Parmar

Sarpanch Gram Panchayat: Mauchha Block: Prantij

District: Sabarkantha Age: about 36 years

This is an interesting case study in the sense that Mrs. Asha Dinesh Parmar, a Marathi woman, the native of Mumbai has settled in Mauchha village in Prantij block, district – Sabarkantha for two and half decades following a love marriage with a Gujarati person namely Dinesh Parmar who is a casual labour.

She has been elected unopposed as a sarpanch under Gujarat Government’s Scheme popularly known as ‘ Samarash Panchayat” - electing sarpanch without electoral battle for which a cash insensitive of Rs. 3 to 5 Lakhs is given by the state government for development activities in the village.

During interaction as part of personal interview for the present study; and filling a structured questionnaire by the research teams; Asha – the Sarpanch and her husband ventilated their anguish against the evils of illicit liquor dens and child labour prevalent in the village.

In this village many families with poor economic background have taken a resort to selling illicit county made liquor as a source of livelihood.

The evil of child labour is also prevalent here owing to poverty among the farmer labours.

Mrs. Asha Parmar – the Sarpanch and her spouse Dinesh Parmar have been struggling hard to fight against these social evils for the last 5 years with little success. However, they do not seem to have conceded a defeat on this front and they relentlessly continue their crusade against social evils and criminal activities like bootlegging and liquor dens.

They firmly believe that Consumption of low quality of alcohol ruins a man physically, mentally, economically and socially.

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Until recently; the male Sarpanches used to be hand in gloves with the owners of the illicit liquor dens but with the emergence of a lady Sarpanch; those inhabitants of the village who are peace loving, are nursing a hope that the situation will improve at least to some extent.

However, Mrs. Asha Parmar’s biggest barrier is that she possesses rudimentary knowledge of Govt. Welfare Schemes and little knowledge of Gujarati language and therefore she needs to be accompanied by her husband during official meetings; albeit, she is well meaning and that is the reason why she is confident to filfull her responsibility as a Sarpanch, in right perspective.

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Observations and Findings-

• There is a lack of awareness about Various Govt. Schemes among the elected representatives of P.R.I.s

• A low level of education among Sarpanches. • The case studies in the present paper are Concrete examples of Women’s sincerity of purpose and

their desire to be self reliant.

• It can be reasonably and rationally inferred that the rural Women tend to obtain loan in a group

rather than on individual basis because of risk factor involved in it.

• S.H.G.s is a powerful tool in enhancing Confidence level, economic and social status of poor

women in rural areas.

• However, there is no denying the fact that the poor and semi educated rural women are yet to be

aware of welfare schemes and some of them find it difficult to avail benefits of the Schemes

because of lack of knowledge of procedural intricacies. A sizeable number of women have been

successful in earning livelihood and extending economic support to their families by Joining

S.H.G.s.

• The Indira Awas Yojna, I.C.D.S., “Micro Finance”, Widow Pension, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

(SSA) etc. have indeed transformed Social and Economic status of Women in rural areas.

• M.G.N.R.E.G.S. is not found to be very popular among the rural folks because of higher wages

offered by private Contractors for construction of not days.

• The elected members in the P.I.R.s have not come of age with the result that they make little

contribution in implementation of welfare schemes for women. Of course, there are some

exceptions. Women have been able to make a foray in to local self Government only because of

Constitutional provisions.

• The Woman Sarpanch does not participate actively in the Gram Sabha proceedings and either her husband or her close relative acts as a proxy; in many cases.

(N.B. - Confined to the area of the present study)

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Suggestions-

• This calls for proper training and capacity building of elected women representatives so as to

enable them to be conversant with welfare schemes and nitty gritty of the administration of

Panchayati raj and Gender sensitization of male sarpanches and Government officers at the

district, Block and gram levels.

• I.E.C. activities should be carried out in a right perspective for the elected members of P.R.I.S and

the prospective beneficiaries.

Limitations of the present study-

• Non availability of data from the census report -2011, for the block levels in Gujarat.

• Comparatively small size of the survey due to time constrains.

However, the present study could be useful to sociologists, feminists, academicians and administrators for further research and strengthening PRIs through gender sensitization and proper training.

Acknowledgment-

The following team members helped the researcher prepare this study and he ought to express gratitude to them for their valuable and timely support.

• Ms. Bijal Bangdiwala Research officer S.R.C.W., Gujarat • Ms. Himali Joshi Asst. State Coordinator S.R.C.W., Gujarat

• Mr. Gaurav Thakkar Asst. State Coordinator S.R.C.W., Gujarat (Co author of the paper) • Mr. Chandrakant Patel (Block Livelihood Manager, Bayad, Mission Manglam, Govt. of Gujarat)

“16 th thinkers & writers forum, mumbai” 6 -7 june, 2013grcgujarat.org/pdf/research...

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